I think Netscape is crap. Unfortunately it's currently the best (graphics) Webbrowser. You can, modify some of Netscapes behavior, to better suit your needs. This page currently talks about version 4.72. (version 3.x-Users look here)

4 easy Steps to enhance Netscape.

1. Command line switches:

   You can pass netscape a lot of command-line switches, read "netscape -help" to see them all.
   My favorites are:

   • -dont-save-geometry-prefs
     Don't save window geometry for session.
   • -dont-force-window-stacking
     Ignore the alwaysraised, alwayslowered and z-lock JavaScript window.open() attributes.
   • -iconic
     to start up iconified.
   • -no-about-splash
     Bypass the startup license page.
   You can create a shell alias to make these options 'permanent'. (e.g. in zsh do: alias ns="netscape-4.72 -no-about-splash")
   Don't forget that arguments which are not switches are interpreted as either files or URLs to be loaded. Use this to your advantage :)
   Most customizations can be performed through the Options menu.

2. Modify your Xresources:

   Netscape is indeed very customizable, if you know how.
   This section unfortunately only applies to Unix versions of Netscape.
   Just put one (ore more) of the following lines into your ${HOME}/.Xdefaults-file.
   These settings will take effect as soon as you login next time.

   • Turn off <blink>:

     You'll never see blinking text again, after that.
     Netscape*blinkingEnabled: False

   • Select starting position;

     You can define where the Netscape window appears, when it's started first. (see also: -geometry)
     Netscape.Navigator.geometry: 700x900+0-0
     700x900 gives the size in pixels (i.e. 700 pixels wide and 900 pixels high)
     +0-0 gives the position in pixels(i.e. zero pixels away from the top, and zero pixels away from the right => right upper corner)

   • confirm dialog on Exit:

     If you often click accidentally on 'Exit' instead of 'Close', then this is for you:
     Netscape*confirmExit: True

   • Always install own color-map:

     If you only have an 8bit display, you might want to use a separate colormap for Netscape. (see also: -install)
     Netscape*installColormap: True

   • Redefine the big N-Logo:

     If you click on that logo, you will be taken to home.netscape.com. But maybe you want to go to your homepage instead ?
     Netscape*logo.documentationString: My lovely Home
     Netscape*logo.translations: #override <Btn1Down>: openURL(http://sec.42.org/)
     of course, if you are an Mosaic fan, you might want it to be an big stop-button, right?
     Netscape*logo.translations: #override <Btn1Down>: xfeDoCommand(stopLoading)
     

   • Redefine the other buttons:

     The "Search" button:
     Netscape*toolBar*search*translations: #override <Btn1Down>: OpenURL(http://ragingsearch.altavista.com/)
     The "Netscape" button (renamed into a Sec button, and go to my homepage):
     Netscape*toolBar*destinations.labelString: Sec
     Netscape*toolBar*destinations.translations: #override <Btn1Down>: OpenURL(http://www.42.org/~sec/)
     Unfortunately i have found no way of redefining the actions of the Pull-down menus.

   • Stdout/Stderr dialog boxes:

     If you use external viewers which print text to stdout/stderr, Netscape will pop up these small boxes. If you don't want this,
     Netscape*useStderrDialog: False
     Netscape*useStdoutDialog: False

3. modify the preferences.js:
   rid that pesky button. user_pref("browser.chrome.disableMyShopping", true); Still needs documenting user_pref("network.search.url", "http://www.42.org/cgi-bin/google.pl?");

4. Patch the Binary:
   Some things cannot be accomplished by (1) or (2). You have to patch the binary. First of all, a big WARNING to you. I take no responsibility for any damage which might result from using any of the tip's here.
   Editing a binary is very easy, when you look out for a few points:
   1. Use an editor suited for binarys (i.e. one who doesn't change the file contents behind you back) 'vim' is known to work (invoke it with the -b switch). 'emacs' will probably do, too. perl4/perl5 can also be used.
   2. Never change the length of the binary. Whenever you modify anything, keep in mind that you have to keep it at the same length. So usually you can't replace something by a longer version.
   If you want to check, if your editor is suitable for this action, just load netscape in it, insert an 'a' somewhere, delete it and save it under another name. If the files are still the same (use cmp to check this), chances are good :)
   • remove cookies:
     perl -p -e 's/SET-COOKIE/SEC-COOKIE/'
   • Modify User-agent:
     perl -pe 's/(Netscape.)Mozilla(.)/$1Lynx$2..$2/'
   • remove/disable other parts:
     Just like the other two, you have to find the patterns yourself, if you have them, send them :)

5. Use an modifying proxy:
   this is an alternative to (3). You can accomplish even more things by this, but it surely is slower and wastes some resources. Look at http://www.lne.com/ericm/cookie_jar/ for example.